Programme Specification BA (Hons) Film Studies (Single and Combined Valid from: September 2012 Faculty of Design, Technology and Environment
SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION Awarding body: Teaching institution and location: Final award: Programme title: Interim exit awards and award titles: Brookes course code: Oxford Brookes University Oxford Brookes University BA (Hons) Film Studies (Single and Combined CertHE, DipHE, BA Single Honours: FT; Combined Honours: FM UCAS/UKPASS code: Single Honours: P303; Combined Honours: see UCAS website. JACS code: P303 Mode of delivery: Mode/s of study: Language of study: Relevant QAA subject benchmark statement/s: External accreditation/recognition: (applicable to programmes with professional body approval) Faculty managing the programme: Date of production (or most recent revision) of specification: Face to face Full time, part time. English Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies. N/A Technology, Design and Environment. February 2012 SECTION 2: OVERVIEW AND PROGRAMME AIMS 2.1 Rationale for/distinctiveness of the programme The Film Studies degree combines the academic rigour of a traditional film studies course with practical and professional components. Students can take either single honours Film Studies BA, or a joint honours degree combined with a wide range of subjects, including Japanese, Business, English, Drama and Communication and Media Studies. Both courses will provide an insight into the endless technological and creative possibilities of this exciting visual medium. The Film Studies BA offers an innovative and diverse programme, which teaches about classical and contemporary film in its historical, theoretical, and cultural contexts. It introduces students to the craft and the business of filmmaking and develops the skills required for a whole range of career possibilities. Students have opportunities to engage with the creative practice of film-making e.g. scriptwriting, production management and practice, and short film projects. Teaching is delivered by a diverse team of
research-active scholars together with industry professionals. The strong link with the industry is also evident in the work placement option, a key feature of the course. All second year film students, for instance, can apply for an exclusive year-long paid internship with Universal Studios in London. 2.2 Aim/s of the programme 1. To offer students the opportunity to study aspects of film history, theory, criticism and the aesthetic possibilities of the medium of film. 2. To cultivate a sense of historical and cultural difference through the study of European, American and World cinema and to develop an understanding of the interplay between the characteristics of different film cultures and the economic, political and cultural contexts from which they emanate. 3. To cultivate visual literacy through equipping students with the appropriate conceptual tools of film analysis and, through detailed readings of films, develop an understanding of the narrative processes, generic forms and modes of representation at work. 4. To introduce students to the professional practices of the film and media industry and thereby support students to meet the challenges of employment in a society in which the cultural and communications industries play an increasingly central role. 5. To develop an understanding of the specific forms of production, consumption and circulation that characterise the medium of film in relation to other media. 6. To enable students to appreciate the key production processes and professional practices relevant to the film and media industries, and of ways of conceptualising creativity and authorship. 7. To introduce students to the possibilities and constraints involved in creative and production processes by acquainting them with the technical, aesthetic and formal choices which realise or challenge existing practices and traditions. 8. To train students in the skills required for information retrieval and research using a variety of primary and secondary sources. 9. To empower students to critically appraise the disciplinary discourse of film studies, to develop the ability to present sustained arguments of one s own and to present these effectively in different communicative contexts. 10. To instil the habits of intellectual curiosity and independent study in students and thus lay the foundation for life-long learning and further training, which are indispensable prerequisites in view of the rapid transformations in all areas of society. 11. To prepare students for employment by developing transferable skills, including communication and presentation skills, learning skills, self-management skills, team work, information technology skills, the ability to understand and use feedback, and the capacity to evaluate evidence and solve problems. SECTION 3: PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES At the end of the programme students will demonstrate: 3.1 Academic literacy I. A substantial and critically informed knowledge and understanding of film history, theory, criticism and film aesthetics.
II. A critical and comprehensive appreciation of the disciplinary discourse that informs Film Studies. III. A high level of visual literacy derived from a broad-based study of film and the application of appropriate critical concepts. IV. A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the professional practices of the film and media industry. V. A high level of competence and discerning judgement in the application of analytical tools and critical theories to the study of film and its cultural, political, and industrial contexts. VI. An ability to engage in creative and analytical processes that will result in an original and innovative project pertinent to the film and media industry. VII. The ability to apply creative and analytical skills to a given task or problem and thus to develop innovative and original solutions. 3.2 Research literacy I. A grounded awareness of a broad range of research methods and professional practices and the discerning judgement to apply these appropriately to specific projects. II. The ability to make effective use of a variety of sources and to evaluate these critically. 3.3 Critical self-awareness and personal literacy I. An ability to develop critically informed and well-balanced arguments and to express, present and defend these persuasively in a broad range of communicative context. II. Competence in applying creative and production processes and to reflect upon these in a critical manner that is underpinned by relevant theory. III. The ability to communicate ideas and arguments cogently and effectively in written and spoken form. IV. The ability to listen effectively to discussion and feedback and so to learn from and participate constructively these communicative processes. V. The skill to present projects at various stages of their evolution in a lucid, structured and engaging way, using the appropriate aids. VI. The ability to work effectively in a team, displaying the abilities to listen, to contribute and to cooperate and thus to sustain and promote the efforts of the team to meet specific goals. VII. The ability to productively and effectively organise and manage supervised, self-directed projects, displaying a high degree of autonomy. VIII. The ability to work diligently and with a high degree of autonomy on a project and meet the appropriate deadlines, adhere to the formats and briefs. 3.4 Digital and information literacy I. A high level of competence in the processes of information retrieval using a variety of primary and secondary sources.
II. The ability to make effective use of information technology for research and communication. 3.5 Global citizenship I. A grounded and comparative awareness of the interconnectedness of different film cultures and the political, social and cultural contexts from which they emanate. SECTION 4: PROGRAMME STRUCTURE AND CURRICULUM 4.1 Programme structure and requirements: Code Title Level Credits Status Semester U64001 Key Issues in Film Studies I 4 15 Comp 1 U64002 The Film Industry 4 15 Option 1 U64003 Film History 4 15 Comp (Single 2 U64005 Popular Cinema 4 15 Comp 2 U64004 Film Form and Technical Skills 4 15 Option 1 U64008 Pre-production for Independent 4 15 Option 2 Filmmaking U64006 Film narrative: Principles of Screenwriting 4 15 Option 2 U64007 Research and Film Studies 4 15 Comp (Single 1 U64040 Film Styles: Classicism, Art Cinema and 5 30 Comp 1 Beyond U64029 British Cinema: Industry and Text 5 15 Alternative 2 Comp (Single U64031 Screening Realism 5 15 Alternative 2 Comp (Single U64032 Stars and Audiences 5 15 Alternative 1 Comp (Single U64020 Film and Media Journalism 5 15 Option 1 U64022 Screenwriting: Advanced Level 5 30 Option 1 U64027 Film Production, Management and 5 30 Option 2 Practice U64033 Independent American Cinema 5 15 Option 2 U64067 Work Placement in Film Studies 5 15 Option 2 U64068 Independent Study in Film Studies 5 15 Option 1 or 2 U640XX Film Genre 5 15 Option 2 U64070 Film Project 6 30 Option 1 and 2 U64071 Issues in World Cinema 6 30 Option 2 U64073 Film Festivals and Exhibition 6 30 Option 1 and 2 U64083 Film Theory: Critical Approaches to Film 6 30 Option 1 U640XX Special Subject in Film Studies 6 30 Option 2 U64090 Interdisciplinary Dissertation in Film Studies 6 30 Option 1 and 2 or 2 and 1 U64099 Dissertation in Film Studies 6 30 Option 1 and 2 or 2
and 1 FT (Single The Level 4 compulsory modules are: U64001 Key Issues in Film Studies I Semester 1 U64007 Research and Film Studies Semester 1 U64003 Film History Semester 2 U64005 Popular Cinema Semester 2 The following Level 5 module is compulsory: U64040 Film Styles: Classicism, Art Cinema and Beyond (double) Semester 1 2 Level 5 modules from the following acceptable modules are alternative compulsory: U64029 British Cinema: Industry and Text Semester 2 U64031 Screening Realism Semester 2 U64032 Stars and Audiences Semester 1 FM (Combined The Level 4 compulsory modules are: U64001 Key Issues in Film Studies I Semester 1 U64005 Popular Cinema Semester 2 The following Level 5 module is compulsory: U64040 Film Styles: Classicism, Art Cinema and Beyond (double) Semester 1 4.2 Professional requirements N/A.
SECTION 5: PROGRAMME DELIVERY 5.1 Teaching, Learning and Assessment The Film Studies degree is designed to facilitate student learning which develops five core Graduate Attributes. Film students academic literacy is enhanced through the study of film aesthetics, history and theory, and by encouraging a critical approach to the disciplinary discourse, but the degree also has substantial professional and practical elements which enable students to begin to think and behave as a member of a professional community. Research and information literacy are vital skills which are introduced carefully in year one and continually enhanced so that students are capable of designing independent research projects by year three (e.g. a dissertation). Students also improve their levels of critical self-awareness or personal literacy by engaging with a variety of group assessment tasks from pitching a screenplay idea to organising a student film festival. Placement modules encourage reflective practice by using journal or logbook modes of assessment. The film industry is a global business, and the degree programme has an international approach with modules focussing on a range of national cinemas and taught by staff with diverse histories and research interests. The School of Arts has a student-centred approach to teaching. Student-centredness is reflected in the approach adopted to classroom teaching, which uses a variety of teaching and learning methods to suit the varying needs of both students and course content. While some students excel in interactive small group work, others benefit most from lectures followed by structured feedback exercises, seminars, etc. The content of each module has a bearing on the teaching and learning methods adopted. Most of our modules will rely on a combination of lectures and classroom discussion. Lecturing is an appropriate mode of teaching in modules where there is a need to convey a considerable amount of factual information and theoretical knowledge about an area students will not be familiar with prior to starting the module. However, the information conveyed in lectures is usually consolidated in discussion, including detailed demonstration via examples (film theories are applied to films screened; students then see and discuss the theories being applied). This enables students to ascertain whether they have fully understood the content of the lecture and to explore that content further. In addition most modules make use of more collaborative modes of learning and teaching, such as small group work on projects and presentations, which allow students to practise more active skills. Teaching groups vary in size between different methods. Some methods are better suited to larger groups of students than others. Lectures, for example, involve a member of staff delivers key facts or ideas to a large group of students (between 70 and 100 in first year modules), while seminars present an opportunity for greater interaction and participation (film seminars do not have more than 20 students). Professional and practical modules have generally 15-30 students per group. In addition to participating in scheduled learning and teaching activities, students are expected to study independently. As there is a strong emphasis on independent study, the Film programme combines scheduled activities with private or personal study time. The amount of work students are expected to do for each module is governed by the norm that a single module credit requires approximately 150 hours of student work. Given that most single modules comprise between 20-24 hours class contact, independent study is an important aspect of the course. Independent study ranges from activities such as library research, reading and essay writing, to the use of audio-visual equipment for practical film-making and e- learning exercises. Contact time for a module generally include 24 hours sessions (a combination of lectures and seminars) as well as feedback on assessment (either in class as a group or in individual sessions with the module leader) The contact time is formally scheduled in case of lectures (where the academic staff present and talk about a particular topic), seminars (a discussion or classroom session focusing on a particular topic or project.) or tutorials (a meeting involving one-to-one or small group supervision, feedback or detailed discussion on a particular topic or project). Contact time is also available in project supervision
(for example in the Independent Study module or in the Dissertation), in practical workshops (Technical skills for film-making, Film production and Screenwriting); in external visit (a visit to a location outside of the usual learning spaces, for instance a trip to the Berlin or the London Film Festival to experience an exhibition relevant to the course of study) or in work-based learning (work placement). Students have the opportunity to meet lecturers on a regular basis for individual tutorials to discuss their work on the modules and their progress. For the independent study, students must submit a one page outline of the issues and problems they plan to address in their studies, and give evidence of their initial reading, before they are signed up to the module. All students are required to submit a complete first draft of their independent study to their supervisor four weeks before the deadline. For BA dissertations, students are required to submit a two page outline of the issues and problems they plan to address in their studies, and give evidence of their initial reading, before they are signed up to the module. They meet up regularly with their supervisor, and receive feedback on each chapter. Assessment methods vary depending on the module content. Theoretical modules use written reports and essays; individual or group presentations and in-class tests. Practical modules require the students to complete individual or group projects and to supply essential documentation. Vocational modules use tasks drawn from industrial settings, and placements require a reflective log book to be completed. Many modules draw on the cycle of formative assessment and feedback outlined in the Brookes Assessment Compact. For example students often submit research or project proposals and receive constructive feedback prior to the final assessment. The course does not use formal written examinations, but for some level 4 introductory modules multiple choice in-class tests are used. 5.2 Assessment regulations: The programme conforms to the University Regulations on Assessment A3.2 (2011-12). Full regulations are available at: http://www.brookes.ac.uk/uniregulations/current/acadregulations/core/assessment /assessregulations/index_html/ (accessed March 2012). SECTION 6: ADMISSIONS 6.1 Entry criteria: In addition to the University s general admission criteria for honours degrees, typical offers for this degree are: BBC at A-level; International Baccalaureate 30 points. AS-levels will be recognised in place of a maximum of 1 A-level; may include 12-unit Vocational A- level. Other A-level equivalent qualifications will be considered. English Language Requirements For details for the University s Engllish Language requirements see: http://www.brookes.ac.uk/international/apply/english/. 6.2 CRB checks
N/A. SECTION 7: STUDENT SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE Film studies students are supported throughout their studies by a team of administrative and academic staff. This support includes: A full Induction Programme to help new students settle in to their course Detailed undergraduate handbooks and module guides Student Support Co-Ordinators to offer gateway advice Academic Advisors to support students with their programme choices The Programme Lead and Subject Co-Ordinator to act as first point of contact Library Upgrade service to enhance academic skills Royal Literary Foundation Writing Fellows to work on written style The Careers Centre runs student workshops (e.g. on CV writing) Student Union advisory service to help with practical and legal issues SECTION 8: GRADUATE EMPLOYABILITY Film studies students have access to work placement modules and practical workshops, often lead by industry professionals, and so are well-prepared for the workplace. Graduates have found work in: Film Production (e.g. New Line Cinema) TV Production (e.g. Cactus TV). New Media Production (e.g. Pharma Television) Freelance Post-production (e.g. editing for Outline Productions) Film and video distribution (e.g. Universal Studios) Cinema management (e.g. The Phoenix, Oxford). Festivals and arts events management Marketing and PR Publishing (e.g. Oxford University Press) Teaching Journalism Postgraduate Study SECTION 9: LINKS WITH EMPLOYERS The film studies programme benefits from an industrial advisory board and maintains strong links with employers to facilitate work placements. These links include: Frequent guest lecturers from film or media industry Special Events (e.g. test screenings, panels, Q&As) Industrial Advisory Board consulted on programme development Associate tutors combining teaching with industry practice Work placement option in U64067 and U64073 Exclusive year long paid internship with Universal Pictures in London available to all students Arts Careers Fair inviting alumni and employers to meet students Strong local links (e.g. Phoenix Cinema, Ultimate Picture Palace, Ox-Dox Film Festival)
SECTION 10: QUALITY MANAGEMENT The following indicators are used to ensure the quality of the film studies degree: The single honours programme was validated by Oxford Brookes in 2006. The Panel praised the links established with the film industry and the successful work placement option. External Examiner reports confirm the programme s variety and academic integrity. The programme is subject to Brookes QA system including annual and periodic review. Modular feedback from students is incorporated into Annual Review. Active student representation including peer meetings and regular committee feedback. National Student Survey responses prompt change and development.